Food article sprayer

ABSTRACT

The systems and methods described herein relate to basting food-related items. The food-related items may include baked goods, baking sheets, cake pans, cupcake pans, and the like. The food items may include pastries, baked good, pies, etc. The item to be basted, glazed, or otherwise deposited with a fluid is placed in a target area. A movable head is then able to move along a track and distribute a fluid over the fluid- related item. The item is stationary during the process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/460,030, filed 15 Mar. 2017, and entitled FOOD ARTICLE SPRAYER,pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety, bythis reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure, for example, relates to food sprayers, and moreparticularly to low maintenance food sprayers.

In certain applications food may need to be glazed or food trays mayneed to be coated and/or prepared prior to use in baking. For example,the food may require a butter or oil glaze and the food trays may needoil or another substance to prevent food from sticking to the foodtrays. Conventional bakery sprayers on the market are bulky, expensive,and messy. Many sprayers utilize conveyor belts and require a tray totravel on the conveyor belt and pass through a semi-enclosed area. Theconveyor belts take time to pass the food through sprayers and the beltsoften travel at a single speed. Conveyor belt and spray system typicallytake up significant space and require significant time to fully cleanand sanitize after use. Therefore, there exists a need for a foodsprayer that addresses these and other challenges.

SUMMARY

The systems and methods described herein relate to basting food-relateditems. The food-related items may include food items (e.g., baked goods)or cooking/baking items (e.g.,, baking sheets, cake pans, cupcake pans,and the like). The food items may include pastries, breads, baked good,pies, etc. The item to be basted, glazed, or otherwise deposited with afluid is placed in a target area. A spraying head is movable along atrack to distribute a fluid over the fluid-related item. The item istypically stationary during the process.

In one embodiment, a food article sprayer is described. The food articlesprayer includes a base, a track coupled to the base, a head movablycoupled to the track, and at least one nozzle carried by the head. Thenozzle is directed to a target area on the base. The target area isconfigured to hold at least one food-related article. A supply hose isremovably coupled to the nozzle. The supply hose is configured todeliver a fluid to the nozzle to be sprayed on the at least onefood-related article.

In some embodiments, the track may be oriented substantiallyhorizontally The at least one nozzle may be oriented offset horizontallyand vertically relative to the track. In some instances, the at leastone nozzle may include at least two nozzles. The at least two nozzlesmay be oriented in different horizontal and vertical directions. Inanother embodiment, the at least one nozzle may include at least fournozzles. The at least four nozzles may be oriented in differenthorizontal and vertical directions.

In some embodiments, the head may also include a handle and anactivation switch proximate the handle. In some embodiments, the headmay be configured to be mechanically movable relative to the track by auser. In some embodiments, the activation switch and handle may besimultaneously operational by a single user.

In another embodiment, a method of spraying food-related articles isdescribed. The method includes providing a sprayer device comprising ahead, at least one nozzle carried by the head, and a track. The methodalso includes placing a food-related article beneath the at least onenozzle and activating the at least one nozzle to spray a fluid on thefood-related article. The method includes mechanically moving the headfrom a first position on the track to a second position on the track.The method also includes deactivating the at least one nozzle.

In other embodiments, the fluid may be a glazing medium. In one example,the food-related article may comprise one or more baked goods, pans, ormolds. In one embodiment, the at least one nozzle may include at leastfour nozzles, and the method may include orienting each nozzledifferently relative to the food-related article. In another embodiment,the different orientations for the nozzles may provide three-dimensionalcoverage of the food-related article with the fluid. In a furtherembodiment, activating the at least one nozzle may include activating avalve proximate the at least one nozzle.

In another embodiment, a food-related article sprayer is described. Thefood-related article sprayer includes a base, a track coupled to thebase, a head movably coupled to the track and at least one nozzlecarried by the head. The at least one nozzle is directed to a targetarea on the base. The target area is configured to hold at least onefood-related article. A supply hose is removably coupled to the nozzle.The sprayer includes an activation switch and a pump electricallyconnected to the activation switch and coupled in flow communicationwith the supply hose. A container is coupled to the pump, the containerretains a volume of product to be applied to the food-related article bythe at least one nozzle.

In some embodiments, the at least one nozzle may be offset from the headpredetermined distance. The at least one nozzle may be offsethorizontally and vertically relative to the head. In another embodiment,the head may include a handle and an activation switch proximate thehandle. In some instances, the at least one nozzle may include at leastfour nozzles. The at least four nozzles may be oriented in differenthorizontal and vertical directions. In another embodiment, the head maybe configured to be mechanically movable relative to the track by auser.

Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodimentsand are a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary food article sprayer inwhich the present systems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the exemplary food article sprayer in FIG.1 along lines 2-2;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the exemplary food article sprayer with afood-related item;

FIG. 3B is top down view of the exemplary food article sprayer; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a method of sprayingfood-related articles.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The systems and methods described herein relate to the food industry.More specifically, the systems and methods described herein relate to arelatively unobtrusive, quick and user friendly food sprayer. The foodarticle sprayer may comprise a pump and liquid container to supply thespraying fluid to the food sprayer. The food article sprayer may fit onan existing table top or other flat surface or may include an adjustablebase to properly align the food article sprayer with its user. The foodarticle sprayer may incorporate a head movably coupled to a track. Oneor more nozzles may be attached to the head which may distribute theliquid at a desired orientation onto a food article or baking sheet.

FIG. 1 is an example of a food article sprayer 100. The sprayer 100 mayinclude a mobile head 102 movably positioned on a track 104. The track104 may include one or more horizontal members 106 which may beconnected to one or more supports 108. At least one nozzle 110 may beconnected to head 102. The nozzle 110 may be connected to a pump 112which may be coupled to a liquid container 114 via a supply line 116.

In some embodiments, the track 104 may include two horizontal members106 which may maintain the stability of the head 102. For example, twoor more horizontal members 106 may prevent the head 102 from rotating orotherwise altering the horizontal positioning of the head 102. In someother embodiments, the track 104 may include more or fewer horizontalmembers 106. For example, a single horizontal member 106 may adequatelysupport the head 102 and maintain the positioning of the head if thehead 102 travels along a flat upper surface of the horizontal member106.

The head 102 may be horizontally movable along the track 104. In someinstances, the head 102 may be movable from a first location proximate afirst end 118 of the track 104 to a second location proximate a secondend 120 of the track 104. The first location and second location mayalternatively be between the first end 118 and second end 120 of thetrack 104. The head 102 may glide along the track 104 through arelatively loose fit. In other embodiments, the head 102 may include oneor more bearings to aid in the mobility of the head. In anotherembodiment, the head 102 and/or the track 104 may be lubricated orinclude low friction materials. In one embodiment, a handle 122 may beproximate the head 102 and may enable a user to manually move the head102 at a desired speed along the track 104. In another embodiment, thehead 102 may be powered and/or automated, and may be programmable tomove at different speeds along the track 104.

A user may grasp the handle 122 and manually move the head from a firstlocation to a second location on the track 104. An activation switch 124may be proximate the handle 122 and may enable a user to activate thenozzle 110. For example, the activation switch 124 may activate a valveproximate the nozzle 110. The activation switch 124 may alternativelyand/or additionally activate the pump 112. In either embodiment, theactivation switch 124 may enable a user to discharge a fluid from thenozzle 110 which may coat, for example, a food item or baking pan whichmay be placed beneath the head 102 in a target area 126.

In some embodiments, the sprayer 100 may include a base 128. The base128 may be a portion of the sprayer 100 or may be mountable onto anothertable or flat surface. The base 128 may house the pump 112 and liquidreservoir 114. In some embodiments, the base may be mobile and/or may beheight adjustable. If the sprayer 100 is mountable onto surfaces, thismay enable the sprayer 100 to be easily movable from one location to anext. It may also make cleaning up the sprayer and surround areaseasier.

The number and orientation of the at least one nozzle 110 is variableand may depend upon the food article to be coated. The orientation ofthe nozzle 110 may be offset vertically and horizontally from the track104. This orientation may be customizable to the particular food or itembeing coated. For example, a first application may require two nozzlesapproximately offset horizontally from the track 104. These nozzles mayadditionally and/or alternatively be offset radially from the track 104.The orientation of the nozzle(s) 110 may change if the food item is arounded item. For example, at least four nozzles may be required atvarying orientations to fully cover a round or contoured item.

In some further embodiments, the head 102 may rotate radially about thetrack 104. For example, in select applications, it may be desirable torotate the head 102 to change the orientation of the at least one nozzle110 and enable a user to quickly change the target trajectory of thespray of the nozzle 110. This may enable a user to fully apply a fluidto all exposed surfaces of a food object.

FIG. 2 is an example of a cutaway view of the head 102 along lines 2-2in FIG. 1. The head 102 includes a handle 122, activation switch 124,and one or more passages 202 for the horizontal members 106 of the track104.

The head 102 may also include a supply connection 204 for the supplyline 116 to connect to the head 102. The supply connection 204 may be athreaded connection, quick connection, or another connection apparatus.The supply connect 204 may enable the medium to connect to one or moreinternal passages 206. The internal passages 206 may fluidly connect thesupply line 116 to a valve 208 proximate the nozzle 110, in thisinstance two nozzles 110.

The valve 208 may be an on/off valve to enable the coating fluid toleave the nozzle 110. In some embodiments, the valve 208 may be coupledto the activation switch 124 which may cause the basting medium toescape the nozzle 110. For example, in some embodiments, the liquidreservoir 114 may be pressurized and opening the valve 208 may cause theliquid to flow from the nozzle 110. In other embodiments, the pump mayalways be in operational mode and the activation switch 124 may open thevalve 208 to allow a basting medium to flow from the nozzle 110.

The nozzle 110 may be removably connected to the head 102 in a multitudeof ways. For example, the nozzle 110 may be connected to the head 102via a quick connect connection 210 which, when a nozzle 110 is notinserted, may cause the valve 208 to be in an “off” position. In anotherembodiment, the nozzle 110 may be connected to the head 102 via athreaded connection. For example, the solenoid 208 may include a threadfemale joint 212 which may mate with a threaded male joint 214 on thenozzle 110. In some embodiments, the male/female orientation could bereversed, i.e., the nozzle 110 could have the female threads and thesolenoid could have the male threads. The threaded connection may againcause the valve 208 to be in an “off” position if a nozzle 110 is notengaged. Other means of attached the nozzles to the head 102 may also beused.

In some embodiments, detachable nozzles 110 may allow different types ofbasting applications. Nozzle geometry can vary significantly and atomizethe basting medium differently. Depending upon the food article or panto be basted, different nozzles may achieve a more desirable end result.

In other embodiments, the head 102 may be permanently fixed with adesirable number of nozzles 110 and the head may easily attach to thetrack. For example, the head 102 may clamp or rest upon the track suchthat different heads 102 may be easily swapped out depending on adesirable basting application.

FIG. 3A displays a side view of a sprayer system 300 showing analternative variation of a head 102 with a nozzle 302 arrangement. Inthis embodiment, the nozzles 110 are offset from the head 102 apredetermined distance. The distance may enable the nozzles 110 to bemore mobile for specific orientation. For example, the nozzle 110 may berotatably connected to the head 102 such that the nozzle 110 may beeasily movable into a desired location.

In this embodiment, the passages 304 for transferring the fluid from thefluid reservoir to the nozzles may be external to the head 102. Forexample, the passages 304 may comprise hoses, tubes, or other fluidtransfer means which may be routed external to the head 102. This mayenable the passages 304 to be replaced and/or cleaned quicker andeasier.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the nozzle 110 may have anindependent on/off switch. For example, each nozzle 110 may have aswitch which enables the nozzle to function or not if the activationswitch 124 is triggered. This may enable a user to customize the numberof nozzles 110 they desire to use in a specific application. This mayalso enable a user to quickly customize the sprayer 100 for eachapplication without adding and/or removing a nozzle 110 and/or head 102.A user can quickly energize and/or de-energize a valve proximate thenozzle 110 to turn on or off the nozzle 110 during specificapplications.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a rounded food item 306 is being glazedin the target area 126. The nozzles 110 are offset from the x-axis in az-plane to effectuate a spray zone 308 to fully cover the food item 302.The nozzles 110 may be offset an angle α1 and/or α2 from the x-axis. Insome embodiments, the angle α1 and α2 may be predetermined. In otherembodiments, the angle α1 and α2 may need to be determined for thespecific food application.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the nozzles 110 may additionally be offset from they-axis in an x-plane. For example, the nozzle 110 may be offset in anangle β1. If more than one nozzle 110 is connected and/or active, othernozzles 110 may additionally be offset by angle β2, β3, or β4. Theoffset angles β1, β2, β3, or β4 do not need to match and in someinstances may not match. Each angle β1, β2, β3, or β4 may be differentto fully glaze an item.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of method 400 of basting a food item. The method400 may include providing a sprayer device comprising a head, at leastone nozzle carried by the head, and a track 402. The method 400 mayfurther include placing a food-related article beneath the at least onenozzle 404. In some embodiments, the method 400 may include activatingthe at least one nozzle to spray a fluid on the food-related article406. The method 400 may include mechanically moving the head from afirst position on the track to a second position on the track 408. Insome embodiments, the method 400 may include deactivating the at leastone nozzle 410.

In some embodiments, the fluid may be a glazing medium. The fluid may beapplied to a food-related article. A food-related article may include,for example, one or more baked goods, pans, molds or other food item orfood-related item. In some embodiments, the method 400 may includeutilizing at least four nozzles. The nozzles may be independentlyoriented relative to the food-related article. The independentorientation of each nozzle may ensure the food-related article isadequately covered with the fluid. The independent and differentorientations may provide three-dimensional coverage of the food relatedarticle with the fluid. For example, a rounded food item may require anunderside of the article to be glazed. Orienting the nozzles differentlymay ensure a top side, under side and vertical side of the food item isadequately glazed. Some pans may additionally require unique nozzleorientation. For example, bundt pans have various vertical surfaces thatmay require unique orientation to properly glaze.

In some embodiments, activating the nozzle may include activating avalve proximate the nozzle. For example, an activation medium may causea valve to turn into an on position and allow the fluid to flow throughthe nozzle. The valve could incorporate a number of valves with anon/off position. In further embodiments, the valve may additionallymeter flow through a valve. For example, in some applications, a heavierfluid flow may be desired. In other embodiments, a light glaze may onlybe necessary. The valve may regulate not only flow to the nozzle butalso the amount of flow.

While the technology of the present application is described withrespect to food articles, the technology disclosed herein may beapplicable to other types of spraying devices. Moreover, the technologydisclosed herein will be described with reference to certain exemplaryembodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments absent a specific indication thatsuch an embodiment is preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.Moreover, in certain instances only a single “exemplary” embodiment isprovided. A single example is not necessarily to be construed as theonly embodiment. The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the technology ofthe present patent application.

However, on reading the disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the technology of the present patent application may bepracticed with or without these specific details. In some descriptionsherein, generally understood structures and devices may be shown inblock diagrams to aid in understanding the technology of the presentpatent application without obscuring the technology herein. In certaininstances and examples herein, the term “coupled” or “in communicationwith” means connected using either a direct link or indirect link.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesde-fined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is tobe accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food article sprayer, comprising: a basedefining a support surface configured to support at least onefood-related article; a track coupled to the base; a head mounted to thetrack and slidable along the track in a direction parallel to thesupport surface; at least one nozzle carried by the head and directed tothe support surface, the at least one nozzle being configured to spraythe at least one food-related article while the head slides along thetrack.
 2. The sprayer of claim 1, wherein the track is orientedsubstantially horizontally.
 3. The sprayer of claim 1, wherein the atleast one nozzle includes a plurality of nozzles, the plurality ofnozzles being is oriented offset at least one of horizontally andvertically relative to the track.
 4. The sprayer of claim 1, wherein theat least one nozzle includes at least two nozzles, the at least twonozzles being oriented in different directions.
 5. The sprayer of claim1, wherein the at least one nozzle includes at least four nozzles, theat least four nozzles being oriented in different directions.
 6. Thesprayer of claim 1, wherein the head further comprises: a handle; anactivation switch proximate the handle and operable to control deliveryof a volume of fluid to the at least one nozzle.
 7. The sprayer of claim1, wherein the head is configured to be movable relative to the track bya user.
 8. The sprayer of claim 1, further comprising a supply hosecoupled to the nozzle, the supply hose configured to deliver a fluid tothe at least one nozzle.
 9. A food-related article sprayer, comprising:a base defining a horizontal support surface configured to support atleast one food-related article; a track coupled to the base and spacedvertically above the support surface; a head mounted to the track andslidable along the track in a horizontal direction parallel to thesupport surface; at least one nozzle mounted to the head and configuredto deliver a volume of product onto the food-related article as the headslides along the track.
 10. The sprayer of claim 9, wherein the at leastone nozzle includes a plurality of nozzles.
 11. The sprayer of claim 9,wherein the at least one nozzle is adjustable into different angledpositions relative to the support surface.
 12. The sprayer of claim 9,wherein the head further comprises: a supply hose coupled to the atleast one nozzle; a pump electrically connected to the activation switchand coupled in flow communication with the supply hose; a containercoupled to the pump, the container retaining the volume of product to besupplied to the at least one nozzle via the pump and supply hose. 13.The sprayer of claim 9, wherein the at least one nozzle includes aplurality of nozzles, at least some of the plurality of nozzles beingoriented at different angles relative to the head.
 14. The sprayer ofclaim 9, wherein the track includes first and second parallel trackmembers, the head being slidable along the track members.